I just put my 86 305 tpi back into my car and am confused of how the a/c hooks up, i got the alternator on and the p.s. on but am confused to how the a/c hooks up. All the hoses are connected, im just talking about how it hooks up in relation to the brackets. If anybody has any pictures, even ones of the engine compartment of an 86, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I can only find one pic right now, and IMO its not going to help much. There are 4 brackets, one is just a brace that runs to the exhaust manifold. 3rd bolt back from the front IIRC, and it attaches to the top bracket. The top bracket bolts to the head and to the intake I think. There is a bracket that fits behind that, it attaches right to the head, behind everything including the PS pump. The last AC bracket attaches to the front 2 exhaust manifold bolts. It has a spacer that fits inside the PS bracket.

That whole bracket assembly is really painful. GM couldnt have made it too much more difficult to put together than they did, but I certainly dont want to make the mistake of challenging them to make it worse, I'm sure it can be done. I hope someone else has some better pics or a blowup diagram of the mess for ya. It'd be a while before I could get some useful pics of mine up here.

 

beings you've nothing to go on how about using a aftermarket a.c. bracket assembly? Or something from a older 350 that you might find at the junk yard? When I took my 305h.o. out I took pictures and drew detailed diagrams before i unbolted anything. Check your existing setup over and maybe you can use something older and easier, I hope.